March 15, 2012 By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers have avoided making the tough calls on major reforms, they confess are needed, in an election year — when all seats are up for grabs.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — The winners for 35 state Senate seats in Illinois will be determined months before the general election on Nov. 7.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Campaign contribution limits in Illinois are being tested in federal court only a year after being enacted.

January 18, 2012 By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Riding the wave of a victory in school reform last year, education activists are gearing up for another push this spring, this time for school vouchers.

December 7, 2011 By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD —The federal government is trying to crack down on abuse of food stamp benefits, as the cost of the nationwide program continues to climb toward record heights.

December 1, 2011 By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans who buy the latest best-selling book as a Christmas gift on Amazon.com will pay $12.99. Buy the same book at a local bookstore and they’ll pay an extra 81 cents.

October 17, 2011 By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ two largest utility providers have given $116,400 to the campaign warchests of lawmakers just weeks before the Legislature is expected to address a contentious rate-hike veto.